Sofa berth suspension and locking mechanism



April 14, 1953 E. E. WOLL ER son BERTH suspausxon AND LOCKING lm'ciwrsu- 24, 1948 5 Shgets-Shei 1 April 14, 1953 E. E. WOLLER 3 SOFA BERTH SUSPENSION AND LOCKING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 24, 1948 5 sheets-sh et 2 April 14, 1953 E. E. IWQLLER SOFA BERTH SUSPENSIONAND moxmc mscmmrsu 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept.

APriI 1953 E. E. W L 'E'R 2,634,433

sum BERTH SUSPENSIONAND LOCKINGMECHANISM Filed Sept. 24. 1948 s Sheets-Sheet 4:

A ril 14, 1953 E. E. WOLLER 2,634,433

SOFA BERTH SUSPENSION AND LOCKING mscagmsm Filed Sept. 24, 1948 5'Sheets-Sheet s Patented Apr. 14, 1953 SOFA BERTH SUSPENSION AND LOCKING MECHANISM Edward E. Woller, Kenosha, Wis., assignor to Simmons Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application September 24, 1948, Serial'No. 51,006

13 Claims. I

The main objects of this invention are, to provide an improved form of folding bed adapted for daytime stowing in a wall or a vertically-disposed frame, from which position the bed may be swung into a horizontally-disposed position for sleeping purposes; to provide animproved form of link mechanism for suspending a bed bottom to perunit its swinging between the aforesaid positions; to provide an improved counterbalance means associated with said suspension mechanism which permits easy swinging of the bed bottom between its open and closed positions; to provide an improved latch mechanism for automatically locking said bed bottom in both its stowed and open positions; to provide improved release means for retracting said latch mechanism; to provide a supporting frame and bed-bottom construction with an improved counterbalanced link-suspension mechanism and push-button releasable latch means of the aforesaid character particularly suitable for use as berths on any type of transport; to provide an improved form and arrangement of seat and back elements associatable with a bed of this kind to serve as a daytime sofa; and to provide an improved bed-bottom suspension mechanism and latching means which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, easy to install, and facile in operation.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an improved arrangement of a pair of folding bed bottoms embodying this invention, with the lower of which bed bottoms is associated a sofa seat. Both bed bottoms are shown in their folded or stowed posi-' tions;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the sofa seat in a somewhat elevated position, incidental to its removal or to permit cleaning thereunder 3 i's'an enlargedinside elevation of one of the frame ends whereon is supported the sofa seat, the sofa seat and back being shown in dotted outline in their normal sofa positions;

Fig. '4 is a view similar to Fig. 8 but showing the sofa seat in dotted outline in a partially elevated position;

Fig. '5 is a view similar to Fig. l but showing the lower bed bottom in its open or sleeping position;

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing both bed bottoms in their open or sleeping positions;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of one end of one of the bed sections showing the improved form of link mechanism by means of which the bed bottoms areswingably suspended on the supporting frame, the view also showing 2 the improved latch means by which a bed bottom is located in its open position and also showing the linkage whereby the lee and head rail is automatically shifted between its collapsed and extended positions;

Fig. '8 is an enlarged side elevation of the "arrangement shown in Fig. 7 with the bed bottom in a position intermediate its folded or stowed position and its open or sleeping position;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the counterbalanced link mechanism whereon the bed bottoms are swingably suspended on the supporting frame;

Fig. 10 is an end elevation of one of the channel uprights on a pair of which the swingable bed bottoms are suspended; I

Fig. 11 is a similar view of the other channel upright;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged, partially sectional detail of the medial section of the channel upright shown in Fig. 11, a'nd particularly showing the push button means by which the improved latch mechanism is operated;

Fig. 13 is a further enlarged horizontal sectional detail taken on the line 13 43 of Fig. 12; and

Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic perspective of the push button releasable latch mechanism for the bed sections.

A preferred form of folding bed embodying this invention comprises, a supporting frame l5 whereon two bed bottoms or berths l6 and I1 are suspended by a counterbalanced rocker-arm link mechanism 18 (see Fig. 9) to permit said bed bottoms l 5 and ll beng swung between open and stowed positions, in both of which positions said bed bottoms or berths may be releasably secured by an automatically acting locking mechanism it (see Fig. '7 particularly). This construction is peculiarly adapted for use in a lower-upper berth arrangement for any type of transport equipment, preferably in association with a sofa seat 28 and back 2| and a folding lee and head rail means 22 (see Figs. '7 and 8 particularly).

The frame 15 comprises right and left channel uprights 23 and 24 secured together in proper spaced relationship by one or more cross beams 25 (see Figs. '1, 2, 5, and 6) and associated with a pair of sofa seat ends 26. This framework I5 is designed so that it may be set up in almost any position on a supporting floor, preferably, however, within a wall cavity provided for that purpose. Obviously such a frame would be anchored to the floor and generally to a wall by suitable means, such as angle plates 21 (see Figs. 3 and 3 4). The ends 26 are detachably secured to the respective channel uprights 23 and 24, preferably by pins 28 on the sofa seat ends (see Fig. 3) re ceivable in bayonet slots (not shown) formed in the front sides or flanges of the channel uprights 23 and 24.

The bed bottoms l and Il herein shown are four-sided sheet metal stampings of a more or less standard form. In the illustrated example, the bed bottoms are arranged lengthwise of the wall so that one of its longer sides constitutes the inner margin of the bed bottom. Each bedbottom supports a suitable mattress 29. These bed bottoms are swingably suspended on the rocker-arm link mechanisms l8, one above the other so as to be individually swung between vertically-disposed, closed or stowed positions, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and horizontally-disposed, sleeping positions, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

Each link suspension mechanism l8, a pair of which suspends each bed bottom on the channel uprights 23 and 2 3, comprises a rocker arm 35, a pair of links 3! and 32, and a spacingguide link 33. The rocker arm is pivoted at 34 intermediate its ends to one of the channel uprights 23 or 24. As indicated the rocker arm is slightly arcuate and its rear end is formed with a shoulder 35 with which the latch mechanism I9 coacts to lock'a bed bottom in its open position as will be pointed out more fully hereinafter.

. A pair oflinks BI and 32 are pivoted at their upper ends to the opposite ends of each rocker arm 38. At their lower ends the links are pivotally connected to brackets 35 and 3'! secured to the end of the respective bed bottoms l5 and I1. As will be apparent from the drawings, the link 3! is slightly angular whereas the link 32 is perfectly straight.

The bracket 38 is secured to the bed bottom end at a point slightly forward from the rear lateral edge thereof. 'The bracket 31 is secured to a bed bottom end forwardly of the bracket 37 at a point near but slightly rearward of the longitudinal median of the bed bottom.

Each of a pair of spacing-guide links 53, for each bed bottom, is pivoted to a bracket 53 pairs of which are mounted on the respective channel uprights 23 and 24. These brackets 38 are located at a point contiguous to the plane of the bed bottom which it is to occupy when in its horizontally-disposed open position. At the other end each of the links 33 is secured to one of the brackets 35 slightly forward of the pivotal connection of the link 3| to such bracket 35. The link 33 at the head end. of each of the bed sections it and I! extends slightly forward of its pivotal connection to the bracket 35. extended end is connected a link 39 which is connected to operate the lee and head rail means, as more fully pointed out in co-pending application Serial No. 51,005, filed September 24, 1948, now Patent No. 2,583,760.

The rocker arms 30 with the associated links SI and 52 thus swingably suspend the bed bottoms IE and I? so that they may be swung between a vertically-disposed position within the plane of the channel uprights 23 and 24 and a horizontally-disposed open position. The horizontal position is determined by the abutment of resilient buffer pads 45, secured at the rear corners of the bed bottoms l6 and ll, against the under edges ll of the brackets 38. During the swinging movement of either of the bed botto s H5 or H, the respective spacing-guide links 33 thrust the bed bottom outwardly and pull its To this 4 back edge upwardly, as the bed bottom is swung downwardly into its horizontal position, and pull the bed bottom inwardly and downwardly, as it is pushed into its closed or folded position.

The counterbalance, which forms a part of the suspension mechanism 55, comprises a pair of springs 42 each interposed between cables 63 and 24 (see Fig. 9) respectively connected to the links Si by clips 45 and to pins on an anchoring plate 35. The cables 43 extend over guide rollers 41 anchored near thelower end of the channel upright 23. The cables 45 each have a turnbuckle 58 interposed between its spring Q2 and the anchor plate 55 so as to adjust the tension on the spring 62 to provide just the right counterbalancing of the respective bed bottoms l5 and ii.

The locking mechanism [5 for the bed bottoms I5 and H is best shown in Fig. 14. For each bed bottom this locking mechanism comprises a pair of latch members or detents which, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, take the form of latch levers or pawls 45 and 50 connected together by a bell crank lever 5i and shiftable into and out of locking position by the spring-pressed push buttons 52 or 53, through the medium of linkage 55. The latch members 59 are provided for locking the bed bottoms in their open positions whereas the latch members 55 are provided for locking the respective bed bottoms in their closed or stowed position. Both pairs of latch members 59 and 55 are normally urged into their locking positions by the springs 55 and 55 acting on the respective push buttons 52 and through the linkage 5 The latch members 59 are pivoted at their upper ends on pins 5'1 secured to the respective channel uprights v23 and 25. A shoulder 58 formed on the lower end of each latch member 45 is adapted to engage the shoulder 55 on the respective rocker arm 55, when the rocker arm is in the position shown in Fig. '7.

Each latch member 59 is pivoted on a vertically-disposed pin 55 located on the plates 50 (see Figs. 10 to 13) secured to the channel uprights 23 and 24. At its forward end each latch memberbfi has formed a shoulder El which is adapted to engage either of the shoulders 52 or 63 (see Fig. 13) formed ona clip 65 secured to the rear lateral edge' of the respective bed bottoms 15 and I7.

Each bell crank lever 5! is pivoted on a vertically-disposed pin 55 likewise secured to the plates 50. One end of the lever 55 is pivoted at 55 to a latch member 59 and the other end is pivoted at 5'! to a latch member 55.

The push buttons 52 and 53 are mounted on the ends of stems 68 and 69, respectively, and slidably'supported in tubes 10 and l i. The push buttons 52 and 53 are held slightly protruding from the outer face of the forward flange on the channel upright 23 by the springs 55 and 56 which embrace the rods 68 and 55 respectively between collarsl2 and 13, on the rods 58 and 69, and washers M and 15 secured at the inner ends of the tubes and M respectively.

The linkage 55, by which, the push button 52 and rod 65 are connected to the latch members 49 and 50 for the lower bed bottom 16, comprises an arm l5, rock shaft TI, and a pair of links '35.

The arm 16 is anchored at its upper end to the end of the shaft 1'! and at its lower end is ans-areas adjacent the :rear :flanges thereof. at :each end the shaft :11 supports a lug .onflnger 19 to which is pivotally connected a link '18. 'At its forward end each .link 18 :is pivotally connected to a latch member 49 intermediate the ends thereof.

The latch mechanism ".54, by which the push button 53 and rod 69 operate the latch members 49 and 50 for the upper bed bottom 11, comprises a bell crank lever 80, link rod 8|, rock shaft .82, and a pair of links 83.

The bell crank lever 80 is .trunnioned on the channel upright '23 with one arm pivotally connected to the rear end of the rod '69 and the other arm connected bythe link 8| to an arm 84 secured to the end of the rock shaft 82.

The rock shaft 82, like the rock shaft 19, is journaled on the channel uprights '23 and 24 ad acent the rear flanges thereof but at a considerable distance above the push button "53. At each end the rock shaft 82 supports a lug "or finger 85 to which is connected a link 83. At its forward end each link *83 is pivoted to a latch member 49 intermediate the ends thereof.

When a sofa seat 20 and back 2! are associated with the lower 'bed bottom t6 the seat 28 issupported on the frame ends 26 by angle bars or rails 86. The back 2| is secured to the outer face of the bed bottom 16 in "a suitable manner.

The angle bars or rails 86 are anchored one to each of the ends 26 a comparatively short distance above the floor and with a slight rearward incline. Longitudinally-disposed slots 81 are formed in the rear portion'of the horizontal flange of the bars 86 to receive .pins 88 secured to the rear corners of the seat 20. Apertures 89 are formed in these same horizontal ledges adiacent the forward ends of 'the' bars 86 to re-- ceive the pins 98 located on the under side of the seat 28 near the forward edge thereof. As will be quite obvious, particularly from Fig. 3, the seat 20 is secured against any accidental shifting relative to the ends 26 when the pins '98 engage the apertures 89. However, when it is desired to elevate the seat 20, to permit cleaninc. th reunder or to remove it alto ether. it is simply necessary to raise the forward end of the seat 29 so as to disengage the pins 90 from the apertures 89.

The seat 28, along its rear edge, and the back 2|, along its lower edge. are so formed that they contact with each other when the bed bottom i6 is closed but permit the back 2| to overlie the seat 28 when the bed bottom i6 is opened to its horizontally-disposed sleeping position.

The operation of this improved folding bed construction is as follows.

A sume that both bed bottoms l6 and I! are in their vertically-disposed, closed or stowed positions. The swinging of both bed sections, between closed and open positions, is substantially the same. Accordingly, the describing of this action for one bed section will serve to explain it for both.

When it is desired to swing the lower berth or bed bottom I 6 into a horizontally-disposed position for sleeping use the operator pushes the push button 52. Thereupon the rock shaft 1'! is given a partial rotation, through the action of the rod 68 and the lever 16. Such retraction causes the lin s 18 to simultaneously shift the lower ends of the latch members 49 rearwardly which, through the instrumentality of the bell crank levers causes an outward movement of the shoulders 6| on the latch members 50 to disengage the shoulders 62 on the clips 64. This permits the upper lateral edge of the bed bottom IE to move outwardly away from the front/plane of the channel uprights 23 and 24. If .thefinger of the operator is retained on the .push button momentarily this initial outward movement of the bed bottom may be sufficient to cause the shoulders 63 on the clips-6'4 to pass beyond the possibility of engagement with the shoulders 6! on the latches 58. However, if any pressure on the push button 52 is instantly relaxed the shoulders E! on the latch members will engage 'the shoulders 63 on the clips 84 and .prevent any further initial outward swinging of the bed bottom 16. This is a protection'against the inadvertent opening of the bed bottom IS, in case of an accidental depression of 'the'push button '52 occurring during 'thelurching or swaying of the transport on which such bed bottoms are mounted.

This initial automatic outward swinging of the bed bottom l9 will be rather limited, in the absence of any excessive movement of the transport. It is necessary, therefore, for the operator to grasp the upper edge of the bed bottom and pull it down into horizontal position.

As the bed bottom is pulled down the co-action of the links SI and 32 on the rocker arm 38 and the links 33 will cause the bed bottom to move out ardl awav from the ba k o the frame 15 as the rear lateral edge of the bed bottom moves upwardly. This downward and outward movement of the bed bottom will continue until it reaches horizontal position, as determined by the contact of the buifer pads '40 with the lower edges M of the brackets 38, as most clearly shown in Fig. '7.

During this swinging of the bed bottom into horizontal position, the link 39 will cause the head and lee rail means 22 to move from its collapsed position into its upright position as shown in Fig. 7, and as more fully set forth in the aforesaid co-pending ap lication Serial No. 51,005, now Patent No. 2,583,760.

As the bed bottom It reaches its horizontal position the shoulders 3'5 on the'rear ends of the rocker arms 35; move into engagement with the shoulders 53 on the latch members 49, the shoulders 58 being normally urged into the paths of the respective shoulders 35- by the spring 55 acting on the linkage 5A through the rod 5%. The bed bottom is thus locked in its horizontal position against accidental displacement or upward swinging.

When it is desired to release the latch members 49, to permit a return of the bed bottom from its horizontally-disposed, sleeping position to its vertically-disposed, closed or stowed posi tion, it is only necessary to push the respective push button 52. As hereinbefore explained. such a retraction of a push button, through the respective linkage 56, will cause a retraction of the latch members 49 so as to disengage the shoulders 58 and 35. This permits the operator to push up on the forward edge of the bed bottom and continue such upward swinging movement until the bed bottom reaches a verticallydisposed position within the plane of the channel uprights 23 and 2t. As the bed bottom reaches its fully-retracted or stowed position the shoulders 6! on the latch members -58 engage the shoulders 62 on the clips 64 whereupon the bed bottom is again locked in its closed or stowed position.

Variations and modifications in the details of structure and arrangement of the parts may be resorted to within the spirit and coverage of the appended claims.

I claim: 7

1. In a folding bed of the class described the combination of a vertically-disposed supporting frame, a bed bottom, a pair of rocker arms journaled intermediate their ends at the opposite ends of said frame, and a pair of links pivoted at their upper ends to the opposite ends of each of said rocker arms and pivoted at their lower ends to the opposite ends of said bed bottom at spaced points inwardly from one side thereof whereby said bed bottom is suspended on said pairs of rocker arms and links to permit a 9i)- degree swinging movement of said bed bottom between a vertically-disposed stowed position in the plane of said frame and a horizontallydisposed open position transverse to said frame.

2. In a folding bed of the class described the combination of a vertically-disposed supporting frame, a bed bottom, a pair of rocker arms journaled intermediate their ends at the opposite ends of said frame, a pair of links pivoted at their upper ends to the opposite ends of each of said rocker arms and pivoted at their lower ends to the opposite ends of said bed bottom at spaced points inwardly from one side thereof whereby said bed bottom is suspended on said pairs of rocker arms and links to permit a 90-degree swinging movement of said bed bottom between a vertically-disposed stowed position in the plane of said frame and a horizontally-disposed open position transverse to said frame, and a spacing guide link at each end of said bed bottom one end of which link is pivoted to said bed bottom and the other end of which link is pivoted to said frame and adapted to co-act with said rocker arm links to secure a shifting of said bed transversely of said frame when said bed bottom is being swung between its verticallyand horizontally-disposed positions.

3. In a folding bed of the class described the combination of a vertically-disposed supporting frame, a bed bottom, a pair of rocker arms journaled intermediate their ends at the opposite ends of said frame, a pair of links pivoted at their upper ends to the opposite ends of each of said rocker arms and pivoted at their lower ends to the opposite ends of said bed bottom at spaced points inwardly from one side thereof whereby said bed bottom is suspended to permit a EEO-degree swinging movement of said bed bottom between a vertically-disposed stowed po sition in the plane of said frame and a horizontally-disposed open position transverse to said frame, and a spacing guide link at each end of said bed bottom one end of which link is pivoted to said bed bottom intermediate the pivots of said rocker arm links to said bed bottom and the other end of which link is pivoted to said frame adjacent the inner side of said bed bottom and at a point contiguous to the plane of said bed bottom when in its horizontally-disposed position and adapted to co-act with said rocker arm links to secure a shifting of said bed transversely of said frame when said bed bottom is being swung between its verticallyand horizontally-disposed positions.

4. In a folding bed of the class described the combination of a vertically-disposed supporting frame, a bed bottom, a pair of rocker arms journalled intermediate their ends at the opposite ends of said frame, a pair of links pivoted at their upper ends to the opposite ends of each of said rocker arms and pivoted at their lower ends to the opposite ends of said bed bottom one at a p'oint'near the longitudinal median of said bed bottom and the other intermediate said one point and the inner side of said bed bottom whereby said bed bottom is suspended to permit a -degree swingingimovement of said bed bottorn between a vertically-disposed stowed position in the plane of said frame and a horizontally-disposed open position transverse to said frame, and a spacing guide link at'each end of said bed bottom one end of which link is pivoted to said bed bottom intermediate the pivots of said'rocker arm links to said bed bottom and the other end of which link is pivoted to said frame adjacent the inner side of said bed bottom and at a point contiguous to the plane of said bed bottom when in its horizontally-disposed position and adapted to 'co-act with said rocker arm links to secure a shifting of said bed transversely of said frame when said bed bottom is being swung between its verticallyand horizontally-disposed positions.

5. In a folding bed of the class described the combination of a vertically-disposed supporting frame, a bed bottonna pair of rocker arms journaled intermediate their ends at the opposite ends of said frame, a pair of links pivoted at their upper ends to the opposite ends of each of said rocker arms and pivoted at their lower ends to the opposite ends of said bed bottom at spaced points inwardly from one side thereof whereby said bed bottom is suspended on said pairs of rocker'arms and links to permit a 90-degree swinging movement of said bed bottom between a vertically-disposed stowed position in the plane of said frame and a horizontally-disposed open position transverse to said frame, and yielding means connected by cable to one of said rocker arm links and adapted to bias said bed bottom toward its vertically-disposed position.

6. In a folding bed of the class described the combination of a vertically-disposed supporting frame, a bed bottom, a pair of rocker arms journaled intermediate their ends at the opposite ends of said frame, a pair of links pivoted at their upper ends to the opposite ends of each of said rocker arms and pivoted at their lower ends to the opposite ends of said bed bottom at spaced points inwardly from one side thereof whereby said bed bottom is suspended on said pairs of rocker arms and links to permit a 90-degree swinging movement of said bed bottom between a vertically-disposed stowed position in the plane of said frame and a horizontally-disposed open position transverse to said frame, an extension spring anchored to said frame, and a cable connected to said spring and extending over one or more pulleys and connected to the inner of said rocker-arm links and adapted to bias said bed bottom toward its vertically-disposed position.

7. In a folding bed of the class described the combination of a vertically-disposed supporting frame, a bed bottom, a pair of rocker arms journaled intermediate their ends at the opposite ends of said frame, a pair of links pivoted at their upper ends to the opposite ends of each of said rocker arms and pivoted at their lower ends to the opposite ends of'said bed bottom at spaced points inwardly from one side thereof whereby said bed bottom is suspended on said pairs of rocker arms and links to permit a EEO-degree swinging movement of Said bed bottom between a vertically-disposed stowed position in the plane of said frame and a horizontally-disposed open position transverse to said frame, a latch member shiftably mounted on said frame and positioned-to holdingly engage said rocker-armfor locking said bed bottom in' its horizontally-disposed open position, a push button on said frame, and means connecting said push button with said latch member to retract the same to release said bed bottom to permit a swinging thereof from its horizontally-disposed open position into its vertically-disposed stowed position.

8. In a folding bed of the class described the combination of a vertically-disposed supporting frame, a bed bottom, a pair of rocker arms journaled intermediate their ends at the opposite ends of said frame, a pair of links pivoted at their upper ends to the opposite ends of each of said rocker arms and pivoted at their lower ends to the opposite ends of said bed bottom at spaced points inwardly from one side thereof whereby said bed bottom is suspended on said pairs of rocker arms and links to permit a Sill-degree swinging movement of said bed bottom between a Vertically-disposed stowed position in the plane of said frame and a horizontally-disposed open position transverse to said frame, a latch panel pivotally mounted on said frame and positioned to holdingly engage said rocker-arm for locking said bed bottom in its horizontally-disposed open position, a second latch panel pivoted on said frame and positioned to engage a shoulder on said bed bottom for locking said bed bottom in its vertically-disposed stowed position. a push button on said frame, a linkage connecting said push button with both of said latch panels whereby the actuation of said button will simultaneously retract both of said latch panels making possible the release of said bed bottom from either one of its locked positions.

9. In a folding bed of the class described the combination of a vertically-disposed supporting frame, a bed bottom, a pair of rocker arms journaled intermediate their ends at the opposite ends of said frame, a pair of links pivoted at their upper ends to the opposite ends of each of said rocker arms and pivoted at their lower ends to the opposite ends of said bed bottom at spaced points inwardly from one side thereof whereby said bed bottom is suspended on said pairs of rocker arms and links to permit a 90-degree swinging movement of said bed bottom between a vertically-disposed stowed position in the plane of said frame and a horizontally-disposed open position transverse to said frame, a latch member pivoted on said frame and positioned to engage the inner end of one of said rocker arms for locking said bed bottom in its horizontallydisposed open position, a push button on said frame, and means connecting said push button with said latch member to retract the same to release said bed bottom to permit a swinging thereof from its horizontally-disposed open position into its vertically-disposed stowed position.

10. In a folding bed of the class described the combination of a vertically-disposed supporting frame, a bed bottom, a pair of rocker arms journaled intermediate their ends at the opposite ends of said frame, a pair of links pivoted at their upper ends to the opposite ends of each of said rocker arms and pivoted at their lower ends to the opposite ends of said bed bottom at spaced points inwardly from one side thereof whereby said bed bottom is suspended on said pairs of rocker arms and links to permit a 90-degree swinging movement of said bed bottom between a vertically-disposed stowed position in the plane of said frame and a horizontally-disposed open position transverse to said frame, a latch member-pivoted on said frame and positioned to en-v gage the innerend of one of said rocker arms for: locking said bedbottom in its horizontally-disposed open position, a secondlatch member pivoted on said frame adjacent said first-mentioned latch member and positioned to engage a shoulder on said bed bottom for lockingsaid bed bottom in its vertically-disposed stowed position, a bell crank lever connecting said latch members whereby said latch members operate in unison; a push button on said frame, and linkage connecting said push button with one of said latch members whereby the actuation of said push button will simultaneously retract both of said latch members making possible the release of said bed bottom from either of its locked positions.

11. In a folding bed of the class described the combination of a vertically-disposed supporting frame, a bed bottom, a pair of rocker arms journaled intermediate their ends at the opposite ends of said frame, a pair of links pivoted at their upper ends to the opposite ends of each of said rocker arms and pivoted at their lower ends to the opposite ends of said bed bottom at spaced points inwardly from one side thereof whereby said bed bottom is suspended on said pairs of rocker arms and links to permit a QO-degree swinging movement of said bed bottom between a vertically-disposed stowed position in the plane of said frame and a horizontally-disposed open position transverse to said frame, a latch member pivoted on said frame and positioned to engage the inner end of one of said rocker arms for looking said bed bottom in its horizontally-disposed open position, a second latch member pivoted on said frame adjacent said first-mentioned latch member and positioned to engage a shoulder on said bed bottom for locking said bed bottom in its vertically-disposed stowed position, a bell crank lever connecting said latch members whereby said latch members operate in unison, a spring-actuated bar slidably mounted horizontally on said frame with an operating push button exposed at the front of said frame easily accessible to an operator standing beside said frame, a horizontally-disposed rod rotatably mounted at the rear of said frame, a link connecting said rod with said first-mentioned latch member, and a lever connecting said bar and said rod whereby the actuation of said bar effects the simultaneous shifting of said latch members.

l2. A folding bed of the class described comprising a supporting frame, a bed bottom, a linkage connecting said bed bottom with said frame whereby said bed bottom is shiftable between a vertically-disposed stowed position and a horizontally-disposed bed position, and a latch element on said frame, said linkage being provided with a cooperating latch element engageable with said first latch element to lock said bed bottom in its bed position.

13. In a folding bed of the class described, the combination of a vertically disposed supporting frame, a, bed bottom, a linkage at each end of said bed bottom for movably supporting said bed bottom on said frame, each of said linkages including a rocker arm journalled intermediate its ends on said frame and a pair of links pivoted at their upper ends to opposite ends of said rocker arm and pivoted at their lower ends at spaced points on the adjacent end of said bed bottom whereby said bed bottom is suspended on said linkages to permit swinging movement of said bed bottom between a vertically-disposed 11 12 stowed position and a horizontally-disposed bed' Number Name f Date position, and yielding means connected to one 984,178 Anderson Feb. 14, 1911 of said linkages for urging said. bed bottom to- 1,081,186 Abbott Dec. 9, 1913 ward its vertically-disposed position. 1,224,738 Goodcell] May 1, 1917 EDWARD E. WOLLER. 6 1,372,057 White Mar. 22, 1921 1,995,416 Carcanagues Mar. 26, 1935 References Cited in the file of this patent v FOREIGN PATENTS UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Country Date Number Name Date 10 24,557 Great Britain 1913 930,540 Evans Aug. 1Q, 1909 

